Camo discussion

powdergun

powdergun

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Now that the seasons are winding down a bit I would like to here oppinions on the following issue

Does wearing camo really ( I mean really) provide an advantage over basic hunting clothes like orange considering deer are colour blind ?


My personal observation is no. I have found that using available cover and being still and watching the wind works just as well. In my area I use camo for archery and BP season and orange for rifle season. Comparing deer behaviour during the two situations I have not noticed much of a difference.

However, this year I have been busted by deer more during the rifle season.
than when I was in camo.
 
Were you really watching the wind? I've been busted before and never really noticed the wind swirling in the orchard. I though it was me but I had cleaned my gun prior to the hunt and could smell the G96 I had used (while packing my gun at the truck).
Also I've been busted while scanning for deer wearing a camo ball cap. When you move your head, your visor profile changes with the angle. I now hunt using boonie hats only.
Sometimes, the deer just seem to know where you are, ie using the same stand frequently.

I've never really noticed if I've been busted more in camo than blaze though. I've taken many deer under 30' in blaze and they had no clue I was there. I've done the same during archery. I think it just depends on how "experienced" the deer is. (How many times he's spotted other hunters or smelled them.)

Just my $0.02.

-Jason
 
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im slowly changing all my orange to cammo..the main reasoning is..is that there is a whole lot better selection of the better clothing in cammo..
if orange is need ,a cheap vest will do the trick
 
Doubt it helps. More of a fashion thing than most manly men would like to admitt.

Does help you hide you from, other hunters, non-hunters, unco-operative landowners etc.
 
The colour may not make the difference but the shape - solid unbroken pattern could be noticeable.

G96 - maybe (subject to regulations) start leaving food for them and spray some G96 in the area so next time they smell your rifle they'll come running towards it.
 
Since deer are colour blind, it would only be advantageous to the point that camo clothing is more flexible, breathable, etc etc. The colour has no effect.
 
I wear my duck gear, Max-4 camo while deer/bear hunting. I do believe that camo helps while bear hunting (and duck hunting of course), as far a deer hunting goes, I wear it because it is comfortable and convenient.
 
I believe that camo does make a difference when stalking deer in open country. Any block of solid color will spook them, including just a hat. I find that in camo I can continue to approach a deer that sees me moving because they can't ID outline shape (helps to bend over double) or see a solid block of color.

And yeah, I wear it to hide from other hunters too.
 
Just because they are color blind doesnt mean they dont see patterns/shapes/shades. I primarily bowhunt, and yes wind is the main factor, but good camo is a major plus.
 
I am not convinced that deer are color blind at all.
What I do think makes a HUGE difference is how reflective our clothes are to the deer. What they see is the color enhancers from our laundry soap in our clothes. It makes us glow the way they see no matter what color it is.

In my experience camo works, if I do my part.

If you are not still, camo wont work. If you aren't always aware of the wind, and use it to your advantage, camo wont work...

I am also convinced that shape, IE the baseball cap thing, makes a huge difference in being busted or not.
 
Think of the basic factors of detection, shape,position,smell,movement,etc...

If camo helps with any of those , then it is better than solid colours.

Lots of talk on boards about the visible "aura" certain laundry products impart to clothing.

Watch your scent and keep still.
 
Guys, deer are not color blind. They just see a different color spectrum. De-scenting is more important than camo, but breaking up your cylindrical outline is important as well. It is still important to be still, silent and as scentless as possible.
No soap (cept good hunting soaps without UV brightener), no cigarette smell, no gasoline smell, no human sweat/bacteria smell.

Deer see dark, cylindrical object clearly (trees, people). Camo is meant to break up that outline and help blend you in. hence why deer can run through the darkest thickest, forrest without running into trees.
 
Dukester said:
Lots of talk on boards about the visible "aura" certain laundry products impart to clothing.
Click to expand...

Good thing I never wash my hunting clothing -- unless you count a rainy day in the blind. My wife did once. 4 years ago. Never again. Coat was practically standing on its own due to dried bloodstains last season.
 
303carbine said:
If you smell like an unwashed gorilla reaking of whiskey and cigarettes what you wear won't make a difference.
Click to expand...

Actually whiskey ans cigs might make a good cover scent.

I have heard many stories of guys who shot deer at close range while taking a smoke break or guys doing well after stoking the foir at camp for a few days etc. wHO KNOWS?
 
Dukester said:
Think of the basic factors of detection, shape,position,smell,movement,etc...

If camo helps with any of those , then it is better than solid colours.

Lots of talk on boards about the visible "aura" certain laundry products impart to clothing.

Watch your scent and keep still.
Click to expand...



optical brighteners which "flouresce" down near the uv end of the light specturm. If an animal only sees black and white..you would think at best this effect with the detergent would add abit of shimmer or fuzziness to the outline.
 
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